William Hill Half A Mill Grand National Trial Handicap Chase |
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| Grade 3 Handicap Chase 15:15 Haydock Park £100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1  |
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This promises to be a searching examination of stamina, resolution and jumping, as it so often is on this wide, windswept circuit. Run over a marathon trip on a track that places relentless pressure on horse and rider alike, it regularly serves as both a springboard toward Aintree and a destination in its own right for staying chasers. With a typically deep entry list, this year’s renewal looks certain to provide a true test from start to finish.
Aworkinprogress wins the Surrey National! 🏆
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 19, 2026
A great performance from JP McManus' seven-year-old, who takes advantage of some tired jumps late on from Catch Catchfire to take today's feature...@LingfieldPark @GiffordNick pic.twitter.com/jbmpVDNETl
The field brings together an intriguing blend of progressive handicap performers and established staying names. Surrey National winner Aworkinprogress and Mr Vango sit prominently among those with upward curves, both having shaped like thorough stayers who relish a battle.
Deafening Silence and Myretown add further depth, each proven in demanding conditions, while Anglers Crag and Grand Geste represent the sort of hardy, seasoned types who often thrive when the race turns into a war of attrition. Richmond Lake, Rivers Corner and Git Maker offer additional variety, capable of stepping forward if everything falls right.
L'Homme Presse holds an entry, but providing the in-form veteran continues to thrive following his Trials day exertions, he will head to Newbury a week earlier for the Denman Chase, a race Williams won 12 months ago with Djelo.
Egbert, Top of The Bill, Art Decco and Collectors Item form part of a strong middle tier, while last year's winner Famous Bridge, Grand Albert, Holokea, Monbeg Genius and Neo King underline the race’s depth.
Val Dancer, Gabbys Cross and Nassalam complete an entry list that suggests no shortage of competitive spirit. As ever at Haydock in mid-February, ground conditions may have the final say, but whatever the going, this looks a Grand National Trial in the truest sense.
Grand National Trial
£100,000 guaranteed, 5yo plus, 3m 4f 97y, Class 1
22 entries
Going:
NO. FORM HORSE AGE TRAINER JOCKEY
1 54PP-1 Anglers Crag 11 - 2 Nicky Richards
2 51-61P Art Decco 10 - Robert Walford
3 11-151 Aworkinprogress 7 - Nick Gifford
4 1P8-29 Collectors Item 9 - Jonjo & A J O'Neill
5 215-23 Deafening Silence 9 - Dan Skelton
6 51FP-1 Egbert 9 - Christian Williams
7 6P-770 Famous Bridge 10 - Nicky Richards
8 82-043 Gabbys Cross 11 - Nick Scholfield
9 030-3P Git Maker 10 - Jamie Snowden
10 313-45 Grand Albert 8 - Donald McCain
11 P-221P Grand Geste 7 - Joel Parkinson & Sue Smith
12 -21222 Holokea 7 - Mickey Bowen
13 31P-22 L'Homme Presse 11 - Venetia Williams
14 1P6-P5 Monbeg Genius 10 - Jonjo & A J O'Neill
15 /111-2 Mr Vango 10 - Mrs Sara V Bradstock
16 F11-F4 Myretown 9 - Lucinda Russell & Michael Scudamore
17 /PP-PP Nassalam 9 - Gary & Josh Moore
18 2-2261 Neo King 8 - Evan Williams
19 P8-322 Richmond Lake 10 - Donald McCain
20 2-3331 Rivers Corner 8 - Joe Tizzard
21 4P1-19 Top Of The Bill 10 - Nigel & Willy Twiston-Davies
22 12-934 Val Dancer 9 - Mel Rowley
Grand National Trial Winners
2025 - FAMOUS BRIDGE (6/1)
2024 - YEAH MAN (9/2J)
2023 - QUICK WAVE (18/1)
2022 – BRISTOL DE MAI (11/2)
2021 - LORD DU MESNIL (8/1)
2020 – SMOOTH STEPPER (33/1)
2019 – ROBINSFIRTH (8/1)
2018 – YALA ENKI (8/1)
2017 – VIEUX LION ROUGE (8/1)
2016 – BISHOPS ROAD (13/2)
2015 – LIE FORRIT (8/1)
2014 – RIGADIN DE BEAUCHENE (16/1)
2013 – WELL REFRESHED (9/2 fav)
2012 – GILES CROSS (4/1 fav)
2011 – SILVER BY NATURE (10/1)
2010 – SILVER BY NATURE (7/1)
2009 – RAMBLING MINSTER (18/1)
2008 – MIKO DE BEAUCHENE (17/2)
2007 – HELTORNIC (12/1)
2006 – OSSMOSES (14/1)
2005 – FOREST GUNNER (12/1)
2004 – JURANCON II (10/1)
2003 - SHOTGUN WILLY (10/1)
